Improved loop inserting machine



April 26, 1932- J. w. BAMKIN 1,855,541

IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l April 26, 1932. J. w. BAMKIN l 1,855,541

IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 w MaJ/WENT M;

April 26, 1932. J. w, BAMKIN IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 17, 1930 April 26, 1932. J. w. BAMKIN 1,855,541

IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE Filed July 1'7, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 k' f il April 26, 1932. Jw. BAMKIN 1,855,541

IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE Filed July 17 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 De? D68.

April 26, 1932 J. w. BAMKIN I 1,855,541

IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE Filed July 17J 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 s L v L e Fla/5 "AVAQ .vhvAvnvnv 2 I/a Patented Apr. 26, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOHN WALTER BAMKIN, OF LEICESTER, ENGLAND IMPROVED LOOP INSERTING MACHINE AApplication Ied July 17, 1930, Serial No. 468,696, and in Great Britain .Tuly 26, 1929.

This invention concerns an improved loop inserting machine by which I mean a machine for inserting loops, of cotton, thread or the like into textile and other articles for purposes of identification and/or for tying articles together.

In the hosiery trade it is the practice for knitted articles, e. g., hose, half-hose, and the like sent to dyers or iinishers, to have loops of cotton, string or the like inserted therein prior to the dyeing and finishing operations, the loops being of different colours in different lots or batches of goods, for the purpose of identifying the goods of diiferent manufacturers or customers during and after treatment. Or such loops may be insertedtor the purpose of indicating sizes.

Hand labour is usually employed `for inserting the loops, the articles being dealt with one at a time. The process is generally known as tacking and consists of passing a length of cotton or the like through the article and tying a knot to secure the loop. Obviously therefore, where articles are dealt i with in large quantities the time and labour involved is very considerable. Furthermore, the less expert hands frequently use more material than is necessary for each loop so that taking everything into consideration the costs of this particular process are usually somewhat high.

The machine constituting the present invention is mainly intended for taeking knitted articles such as hose, half-hose and the like, the main object of the invention being, of course, to enable the work to be done more expeditiously, efficiently and economically than is the case with hand labour, so that costs of material and labour are proportionately reduced. The machine may be used for other purposes, such for example as tying articles together in pairs or in strings, or for inserting loops of cotton or the like or even coarser material in other articles Jfor other purposes.

In order that the invention may be clearly and readily understood I will describe by way Vof' example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of a machine intended mainly for tacking i. e. inserting loops ot cotton or the like in half-hose and like articles, the cotton or other material employed in the process being hereinafter referred to as the thread.

Referring to the drawings y Figure 1 is a Sectional side elevation, and

Figure 2 is a sectional front elevation of the machine.

Figure 3 is a plan oi the said machine as viewed from underneath.

Figure 4 is a sectional plan taken on line IV-IV of Figure 1, and shows cutting and clamping'means hereinafter described.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the co- 6 operative knot forming elements of the machine.

Figure 6 shows in sectional side elevation and in plan the needle and associated loop forming parts in the initial stages of loop formation.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the same parts in the same position.

Figure 8 is a front view of the said parts together with the thread grippers, showing the rotary device advanced to engage the initially looped thread.

Figure 9 shows in front and side elevation the needle and the rotary device retracted and the initially looped thread held by the rotary device and grippers preparatory to the next stroke of the needle.

Figure 10 shows in side elevation and in plan the loop forming parts with the needle at the end of the second stroke and the loop of thread formed thereby.

Figure 11 is a front view of the parts with the needle partly retracted and the rotary device in engagement with both of the looped portions of the thread preparatory to wrapping same round the tying bar.

Figure 12 shows in front and side elevation the parts aforesaid with the needle returned to its normal position and the thread severed.

Figures 13 and 11i are iront elevations of the rotary device and associated parts showing respectively how the looped thread is wrapped round the tying bill.

Figure 15 shows in front elevation and in 5 the rotary device and associated part-s showing the ends of the thread pulled through the portion round the tying bar, and

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the said parts, showing the completed loop prior to l removal of the tacked article from the machine.

The machine constituting the invention includes essentially a needle or equivalent for inserting a length of cotton, thread or the like in the required article or articles, and co-operative elements adapted to tie a knot insaid inserted material to form a closed loop.

Cutting means may be provided for operation in timed relation with the loop forming and knot tying elements to cut off a length of material for the loop. Clamping or trapping means are also provided for holding the leading end of the supply of material.

In a convenient embodiment of the invention the machine has a needle or equivalent which makes a double movement for inserting the cotton or other material into the artcle or articles, a device for clampin and cutting the material, a rotary device or engaging the material held by the needle and forming a loop therein preparatory to the formation of the knot, grippers or the like which serve to hold the said material as aforesaid, and also operate to draw the length required to form the loop, and a member operative, following the severance of the material, to draw a portion thereof through the loop formed as aforesaid to tie the knot.

The machine is preferably adapted to form a knot of the kind made by doubling a length of material, forming a loop therein and passing the two ends through the loop, and in such case the needle operates so that in effect the material is doubled. The rotary device is operated so as to engage the doubled material and by reason of its rotation form the requisite loop for the knot, the leading end of the supply being in the meantime released, and the grippers operated to temporarily engage the initially looped portion of material, including the leading end, and to determine the length to be cut off. The said length is also cut oli' about this time, following which the ends of the inserted material are drawn through the said loop by the memper provided for this purpose to complete the not.

The various motions are preferably ob tained by cams and intermediate connections suitably arranged and operated.

The aforesaid rotary device preferably cooperates with a member hereinafter termed a. tying bar for forming the loop requisite for the knot, and the member which serves to draw the ends of the inserted material through said loop conveniently consists of a reciprocatory hook, said rotary device, tying bar and hook being relatively movable endwise for completing the knot after the formation of the loop by the rotary device.

The rotary device itself preferably comprises relatively movable parts adapted to open and close for respectively engaging the inserted material and gripping same during the looping action. In this connection it is a feature of the invention that the degree of opening is varied during the rotation of the device as will be hereinafter described.

In a machine wherein the needle has a double movement as previously mentioned, means are provided for imparting relative movement between the needle and the article or articles to be pierced.

The invention includes certain novel features and movements which, while mainly intended for use in combination in the new or improved machine, may be adapted for use in other machines for purposes similar or analogous to that before referred to, and accordingly it is desired to cover these features and movements separately as well as in com bination. Y

In general form the machine illustrated resembles an ordinary sewing machine in that it comprises an upper frame l, in which a needle carrier bar 2 and the major portion of the operating mechanism therefor are contained, and a hollow base 3 in which the cooperative knot tying elements and their actuating means are housed.

The needle carrier bar 2 is slidably mounted in the front end of the frame 1 and fitted with a clip 4 pivoted in a block 5 in turn slidably mounted in the forked end of a lever 6. The lever 6 is pivoted at 7 in the frame 1 and connected by a link 8 with a lever 9 fulcrumed at 10 in the base 3 and furnished with a cam roll 11. Rotatably mounted in bearings in the base 3 is a cam shaft 12 from which the motions of all the cooperating devices of the machine are effected as will be hereinafter described. The shaft may be driven in any convenient manner, e. g. by means of a belt and pulley through the medium of asuitable clutch controlled by a single cycle stop motion (not shown). The shaft has fast thereon a face cam 13 Figures 1 and 3 in the groove 14 of which the roll 11 works so that as the cam 13 rotates the needle bar 2 is reciprocated. The bar 2 is fitted with a needle 15, the latter being insorted into a hole or socket in the lower end of the bar and secured therein by a screw 16. The needle actuating cam 13 is adapted to reciprocate the needle twice within a single revolution of the shaft l2 for inserting the thread a to form the loop in the article e. g. a half-hose. The thread is preferably supplied in a continuous length and for this purpose may be drawn olf a reel, bobbin or the like (not shown) and cut olf as required. Means may be provided on the arm or some other suitable part of the machine for carrying the reel, bobbin or the like.

The machine is furnished with a table or like support 17 upon which the articles to be tacked are laid one at a time, and combined with the table is a feeder plate 18 or equivalent for moving the article relatively to the needle between the two operative strokes. The article may be positioned so as to be pierced twice by the needle, i. e. on the first operative stroke and again after movement by the feeder plate as aforesaid. Alternatively the article may be positioned so as to be pierced only on the second operative stroke of the needle as will be hereinafter set forth. The feeder plate is operated for the purpose aforesaid by means of a cam' 19 on the aforesaid shaft 12 and intermediate connections comprising a lever 20 fulcrumed at 21 in the base 3 and furnished with a roll 22 which works in the groove 23 of the cam 19.

A member 24 is provided on the table for holding the article down on the feeder plate, said member being kept in position by a screw 25 and caused to exert pressure on the article by a spring 26. There is also mounted above the table or like support al combined cutting and clamping device by which the leading end of the thread is held after being threaded through the needle, the cutter and clamp being automatically controlled from the shaft in any convenient manner e. g. by cam or other means so as to operate at the appropriate time first to release the said end and then to cut off the length of thread required to form the loop.

Accordingto the illustrative construction the said device comprises a cutter 27 pivoted at 28 on a supporting plate 29, a clamping plate 30 furnished with locating pins 31 slidable in holes in the supporting plate, and a presser foot 32 acted upon by a. compression spring 33 whereby the plate 30 is held yield ingly in contact with the cutter 27. The supporting plate 29 is attached to a rod 34 fixed in the front portion of the frame 1 and the presser foot is attached to a rod 35 slidable in a sleeve 36 also fixed in the said front portion of the frame. The cutter is connected by a link 37, controlled by a spring 38, with a lever 39 fulcrumed at 4() and actuated by a cam 41, constituted by the periphery of the needle cam 13, said lever being furnished with a cam roll 42 for engagement with the cam.

Arranged in the hollow base 3 i. e. below the table, is a device comprising a rotatable sleeve 48 formed or provided with teeth 44 so that in effect it constitutes a pinion, and a finger 45 slidable lengthwise in the sleeve and having a bent or hook like extremity nor-- mally heid in engagement with a projection 46 on the opposing end of the sleeve or pinion e. g. by means of a spring 45a.

This device rotates about another sleeve 47 containing the part hereinbefore referred to as the tying bar, and is for engaging the thread passed through the feeder plate by the needle and wrapping same around the tying bar in the initial formation of a knot whereby the ends of the inserted material are tied together to form a closed loop. The wrapping device is rotated for the purpose mentioned by means of a rack 48, a pinion 49 and a gear 50 which latter meshes with the teeth 44. The rack is slidable in a support 51 formed on the table 17 and the pinion 49 and gear rotate on a pin 52 fixed in the support. The sleeve 47 also is fixed in the support 51. The rack is actuated by a cam 53 on the aforesaid shaft, and a lever 54 fulcrumed at 55 on the base 3. The finger 45 is also controlled by another cam 56 on the shaft 12 and suitable intern'iediate means whereby the said finge is moved to different degrees during rotation of the sleeve or pinion. Conveniently for this purpose the said finger rests on a thrust washer 57 connected with a plurality of pins 58 slidable through the support 5l and fixed in a plate 59 controlled by springs 60 and engaged by a lever 61 pivoted on a bracket 62 attached to the support 51. The lever is acted upon by a screw 63 carried by a lever 64 fulcrumed at 65 in the base 3 and actuated by the cam 56 the contour of which rises and falls in accerdance to the varying movement to be imparted to the linger. The lever 64 is fitted with a roll 66 for engagement with the periphery of the cam. The screw 63 provides an adjustment for the finger 45 to ensure its engagement with the projection 46 at the proper times. The finger is operated against the action of the springs 60 and springs 67 inserted in the sleeve 43 so as to press on the washer 57.

The tying bar 68 is slidable endwise in the fixed sleeve 47 and controlled by an edge cam 69 on the shaft 12 and intermediate connections comprising a link 7 0 and a lever 71 fulcrnmed at 72 on a lug 73 in the base 3, and furnished with a nose for engagement with the periphery of the cam. These connections are controlled by a spring 74.

The tying bar 68 has a pointed end 75 and is made hollow or tubular for the reception of slidabie hook 7 6 which is for the purpose of engagir. the encis of the thread held by the wrapping device as will be hereinafter describen, and drawing same into the bore of the tying bar so as to complete the knot by which the said ends are joined. This hook is operated by a cam 77 on the shaft 12 and intermediate mechanism comprising a link 78 and a lever 79 fulcrumed at 40, said mechanism being controlled by a spring 80.

ijiveted at 81 in the hollow base 3 adjacent to the wrapping device is a pair of grippers 82, 83, one of which is yieldable e. g. controlled by a spring 84 attached to each gripper while the other is operated in timed relation to the action of the wrap-ping device by a cam 85 on the machine shaft 12 and a lever 86 fulcrumed at 87 in the base 3, and furnished with a roll 88 for contact with the cam, said lever heilig controlled by a spring 89. The lever is furnished with pins 90 or may be bifurcated for engagement with a pin 91 in the gripper 82.

Abutments 92 for the work are provided on the plate 18, said abutments being formed with slots 98 and after adjustment by screw-s 94.

I will now describe with reference to Figures 6 to 17, the operation of the machine in inserting a loop in the foot bottom of a hose or half-hose. To begin with the foot of the article b is inserted between the presser members 24 and the feeder plate 18 so that the edge of the foot bottom makes contact with the abutments 92 as shown in Figure 6. The abutments 92 are positioned so that initially the said edge does not reach the path of the needle. The leading end of the thread a is clamped between the cutter 27 and clamping plate 30 as shown. in Figure 6. A treadle or other clutch operating member (not shown) is operated to start the machine and the needle 15 commences its operation.

Upon the initial operative stroke of the needle the thread e is passed once through the feeder plate 18 and the table 17 after which the needle is withdrawn slightly to bend the looped portion c of thread, as shown in Figure 6, so as to facilitate the engagement of the finger 45 of the wrapping device therewith. The sleeve 43 of the wrapping device then makes a partial revolution in the direction of the arrow in Figures 7 and 8 and at the same time the linger 45 therein is moved endwise slightly so as to engage the portion of the thread extending between the needle point and the cutting and clamping means, see Figures 7 and 8, said portion being entered between the hooked end of the finger and the projection 46 on the sleeve, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8.

At or about this time the needle commences to withdraw, compare Figures 6 and 7, and the finger 45 is released so as to grip the thread` whereupon the sleeve 43 is rotated in the reverse direction i. e. in the direction of the arrow in Figure 9, back to its normal position carrying the said portion of the thread with it, at which stage the needle is completely withdrawn. Then the wrapping device reverses its motion as aforesaid the grippers 82, 83 which are normally open as shown in Figure 8, thereupon close, i. e. the gripper 82 is moved to engage and hold the initially looped portion c of thread as shown in Figure 9, said portion being past between the grippers by the needle. As the gripper 82 moves the thread is acted on thereby so that the length to be used in the formation of the loop is determined. Just before the gripper 82 moves the tying bar 68 is retracted slightly (compare Figures 1 and 9) so as to allow the gripper to pass from one side to the other thereof. The feeder plate 18 is then actuated to move the article in relation to the needle (compare Figures 1 and 10) whereupon the cutter 27 is operated to free the leading end of the thread, see Figure 10, and then the needle makes a further stroke, to pass another portion Z of the thread through the article, as shown in Figure 10, and withdraws slightly as before to bend this other portion of thread for engagement by the :linger 45 which latter and the -grippers 82, 88 meanwhile remain stationary. Following the second stroke of the needle the wrapping device is operated as previously described so that the finger 45 engages said other portion of thread but instead of reversing its rotation it continues to rotate in the direction of the arrows as represented in Figures 11, 12, 18 and 14 to wrap the thread thus engaged round the tying bar 68, thereby forming a knot loop c, during which action the finger is released to hold the thread and then moved slightly again later to allow the thread to pay-out somewhat as it is wrapped round the tying bar. During this further rotation of the wrapping device the portion c of the thread engaged by the grippers 82. 83, is` drawn through the latter (compare Figures 10, 11 and 12,) the gripper 82 being moved slightly away from the gripper 83 to relax the grip and eventually the original leading end of the thread leaves the n grippers (see Figure 13). Also as shown in l Figure 12, the tying bar 68 is practically fully advanced to receive the thread, and the cutter 27 is returned to its normal position to cut off the length of thread required for the tacking loop and to clamp the end of the main portion preparatory to the formation of the next tacking loop. After about two revolutions the rotation. of the wrapping device is arrested and the linger 45 is released so that as shown in Figure 15 the two ends of the thread trapped between the finger 45 and projection 46 are thereby held in position for engagement by a (io-operative knot tying element hereinafter described.

In the initial stages of the operation the hook 76 is moved from its normal position, see Figure 6, to the position shown in Figure 9 where it remains until the end of the wrapping action. Towards the end of this action the tying bar is moved endwise into the sleeve so that the hook 76 is exposed and the ends of the thread are laid between the end of the tying bar and the exposed hook as shown in return to its normal position. At this stage lloV the hook 76 is retracted i.- e. returned to its normal position, whereby the ends of the thread are drawn into the tying bar, as shown in Figure 16, i. e. through the loop formed by wrapping the thread round the bar as aforesaid, the finger 45 being operated to release the said ends. The gripper 82 coinpletes its return movement and the feeder plate is also moved back to its normal position. e

Following the movement of the hook 76 within the 68 as aforesaid, the bar has further endwise movement imparted to it, whereby the knot f thus formed is stripped off., as shown in Figure 16, as the result of its engagement with the end of the sleeve in which the bar operates, and then t-he bar is advanced i. e. returned to its normal position (see Figure 17) so that its point engages the knot f while t-he hook 76 tends to restrain withdrawal of the ends of the thread from the bar so that the knot is tightened as represented in Figure 17. The rotary device is restored to its normal position about this time. The article b with the finished loop g therein is then free to be removed from the machine.

As will be understood operative movements of the loop forming and knot tying devices and their return to their normal positions upon completion of their respective functions occur within a single revolution of the machine shaft 12.

The machine is preferably furnished with counting mechanism. This may be mounted` on any convenient part of the machine and connected with a lever located beneath the table so as to be engaged and actuated by the loop g inserted in the article as the loop is pulled through the table and feeder plate upon removal of theI article from the machine. In tacking hosiery the articles are usually dealt with in batches e. g. of one, two or more dozen of pairs at a time. Accordingly it is preferred to employ counting mechanism adapted to be operated once for ever so many, e. g. two dozen articles dealt with, to indicate the number of dozens of pairs of articles actually tacked b-y the machine. Otherwise the mechanism may be of conventional type. In addition to this device I may provide means for counting the articles singly. The arrangement is preferably such that if a. loop is not formed that particular operation of the machine is not counted. In the illustrative arrangement (Figures 2. and 3) the counting mechanism comprises a` main counting device 95 mounted on the base 3 by means of a bracket 96, and a wheel 97 having a peripheral scale numbered from 1 to 24, said wheel being` clamped by means of a nut 98 in a spindle 99. The said spindle extends through the device 95 into the interior of the base 3 and has fast on the inner end a. ratchet wheel 100 and a correspondingly notched disc 101. The

ratchet wheel is engaged by a pawl 102 carried by a lever 103 freely mounted on the spindle 99 and connected by a link 104 with a lever 105 operable by a cam 106 on the cam 53, the lever being furnished with a roll 107 for engagement with the cam. The link 104 has a springl 108 attached to it whereby the pawl 102 is operated to rotate the ratchet wheel 10U, and the cam 106 effects the reverse stroke of the pawi. Normally the ratchet ensei is heid from rotation under the action of the spring 108 by means of a. catch 109 slidably mounted on the part 51 and held in engagement with the notched disc 101 by a spring (not shown). Fivoted at 110 beneath the feeder plate 18 is a lever 111 adapted to engage the catch 109 and furnished with a finger 112 located so that the tacking loop is formed around it, see for example Figures 13 to 17. Thus when the tacked article is removed` from the machine the loop g engages the finger 112 and operates the lever 111 thereby causing the latter to trip the catch 109 so as to release the notched disc 101 whereupon the pawl 102 functions under the action of the spring 108 to rotate the spindle 99 through a distance equivalent to one scale division on the wheel 97. Incidentally the engagement of the loop g with the finger 112 serves to further tight-en the knot. Obviously if the machine fails to form a loop the counting mechanism is not operated. This action occurs twenty four times before the main counting device is actuated by the spindie to record a dozen pairs. After rotation through the required distance the notched disc 1-01 is re-engaged by the cat-ch 109 and the cam 106 effects the reverse stroke of the pawl 102 preparatory to the neXt action. A point 113 may be provided for use in con] unction with the wheel 97. The lever 111 is moved against the action of a spring 114 and astop 115 is provided to determine the normal position of the lever.

Although the machine constituting the invention is mainly intended for tacking hosiery as hereinbefore described the invention is not to be regarded as limited in this respect as the machine may be employed for other purposes, such for example as tying articles together in pairs or in strings, or for inserting loops of cotton or the like or other material in other articles as will be readily appreciated.

IVhat I claim then is 1. A machine for inserting loops into articles, including a needle for inserting the loop material, means for cutting off the length required to form the loop from a continuous supply, clamping means for holding the leadino' end of the material )rior to and during the initial stages of loop formation, and knot tying elements comprising a tying bar, a rotary device adapted to wrap the material presented by the needles about the tying bar,

and a member associated with the tying bar for drawing the ends of the severed material through the wrapped portion.

2. A machine for inserting loops into articles comprising a needle for inserting the loop material, a rotary device for forming a loop in said inserted material preparatory to forming a knot and, for co-op-eration with the rotary device, a sleeve slidable within said device, and a hook member slidable within the sleeve for completing the knot after the formation of the loop by the rotary device.

3. A machine for inserting loops into articles includingr a needle for inserting the loop material, means for cutting off the length required to form a loop from a continuous supply, clamping means for holding the leading end of the supply prior to and during the initial stages of loop formation, means for holding the material initially inserted by the needle during subsequent operation of the latter and when the leading end is released by the clamping means, a rotary device for forming a loop in said inserted material preparatory to the formation of a knot, and as` sociated members relatively movable endwise for completing the knot .after the formation of the loop by the rotary device.

4. A machine for inserting loops into articles including a needle which makes a double movement for inserting the loop material, means for imparting relative movement between the needle and the article or articles between the two operative strokes of the needle, means for cutting off the length required to form a loop from a continuous supply, clamping means for holding the leading end of the supply prior to and during the initial stages of loop formation, means for holding the material initially inserted by the needle during subsequent operation of the latter and when the leading end is released by the clamping means, and co-operative elements adapted to tie a knot in the inserted material to form a closed loop.

5. A machine for inserting loops into articles, which includes a needle for inserting the loop material, co-operating elements adapted to tie a knot in said inserted material to form a closed loop, and counting mechanism operable by means of the inserted loop upon removal of the article or articles from the machine.

6. A machine for inserting loops into articles, which includes a needle for inserting the loop material, co-operative elements adapted to tie a knot in said inserted material to form a closed loop, and counting mechanism including a lever arranged so as to be located within the loop formed byI the machine, so that when the article or articles is or are removed the lever is engaged by the loop to effect operation of the counting mechamsm.

7. A machine for inserting loops into articles including a needle which makes a double movement for inserting the loop material into the article or articles, a device for clamping and cutting the material, a rotary device for engaging the material held by the needle and forming a loop'therein preparatory to the formation of a knot, grippers which serve to hold said material following initial operation of the needle and during the subsequent operation thereof and also operate to determine the length of material required to form the loop, and a device operative, following severance of the material, to draw the ends thereof through the loop formed by the rotary device to tie the knot.

8. In a machine furnished with a needle for inserting loops of pliable material in articles, a knot tying device comprising a rotatable sleeve, and a finger slidable lengthwise in the sleeve for engagement with a length of material presented by the needle, so as to form said material into a loop upon rotation of the sleeve, a hollow or tubular member about which said material is wrapped or looped by the rotary device and an element slidable within the tubular member so as to enable same to be moved rela tively for laying the ends of the material across the end of the tubular member and drawing said ends into Said member and consequently through the loop formed by the rotary device.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN WALTER BAMKIN. 

